johnh
valued Member
Posts: 209
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Post by johnh on Jul 29, 2007 15:41:28 GMT -1
I'm looking to buy a submersible VHF radio. I know a lot of people use the Icom's, but they are too expensive for my wallet, as I'm also looking to buy a fish finder and something has to give. I've already spent £2k on Yaks and fishing gear in the past month or so.
I'm tempted by the STANDARD HORIZON HX270 at £90 or the COBRA HH325 at £100. The Standard Horizon has a 3 year unconditional guarantee; which includes water damage (it is submersible).
Does anyone have either of these, and of so what do you think of them? cheers John
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Post by SEAJUNKY on Jul 29, 2007 18:05:19 GMT -1
John
Have a look at this on ebay 140134920226. It will say sale has ended. But I do know the t supplier has just got a new consignment.
Steve
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Post by dorado on Jul 29, 2007 22:04:04 GMT -1
John, The Horizon is used by quite a few touring paddlers and I have heard no bad reports about it. Personally, I would save and get the Icom though- there is a reason all the rescue services use them. To give you an idea of the build quality, I dropped mine off my jacket from the side of a quay. It fell about 15 feet onto solid concrete below. I expected it to smash to pieces, but after a couple of seconds the screen came back with a big 16 staring up at me. The only damage, other than a few minor scratches to the battery casing, was a crack in the screen. I now have a black line across the screen, but it works perfectly - that kind of build quality is what you are paying the extra for. Reliability, battery life and longevity together with performance. Icom gear is superb. You could probably get an M71 for much the same price as the Horizon you know if you look around - the M33 is a new, totally waterproof, floating set - bound to be more expensive. Mine is a Euro 1V, discontinued now I believe - so if you find one somewhere probably pick it up quite cheap too.
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Post by moniar on Jul 30, 2007 20:50:01 GMT -1
I agree Dorado - its worth paying the extra. I use Icom HF/VHF amateur radio equipment and would always pay the extra. I have seen an M31 for a good price new - just need to phone them up now and try to get a bit more knocked off for buying more than one. The M33 great radio but at around £70 cheaper the M31 will do the same job and a lanyard on the pfd makes up for the risk of losing it. I am trying to sort out a vhf licence course for early september in Holyhead with a local trainer if anyone else need to take the certificate course - cost will be around £65 per head.
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Post by ZEBRA on Jul 31, 2007 0:00:42 GMT -1
dont compromise on your radio you can save a bit on other things but buy the best radio you can if you need the coastguard and your radio fails you may not get the chanse to regret not spending a bit extra to get the best radio . The icom range is great and as simon and steve have said there is a reason they are a bit more expensive and the rescue services use them look at the ic -m71 in the review section the price has dropped a bit on them i have seen them on the internet for 143.00 and thats money well spent .
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Post by DaveLancs on Jul 31, 2007 8:39:34 GMT -1
I'm up for doing the certificate course at Holyhead in September, best to do the course before i buy a radio.
Dave
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johnh
valued Member
Posts: 209
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Post by johnh on Jul 31, 2007 12:33:41 GMT -1
I took the plunge and bought the Icom 71. I ordered it through MES. The guy there said it was the best radio for the money, by a long way. They had 30 in stock, but the British Antartic Survey had just bought the lot. If they are radio of choice for those guys, they must me good.
I also bought the Garmin 160c fish finder. Stuck on the plastic. I'll worry about how I pay for it later.
All I need now is a battery for the fish finder. I'm looking at motorcycle batteries. I've found a 3 amp hour one for £10.
What batteries does everyone else use and do you place them in a waterproof bag? Whilst there is a purpose built shelf in the Big Game, I'm wondering if I still need to wrap it some sort of bag.
Any advice welcome. cheers John
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Post by ZEBRA on Jul 31, 2007 13:07:53 GMT -1
dont use motorcycle batterys they are liquid acid filled and not always sealed if any of the acid leaks your in big trouble when it contacts sea water use gell sealed batterys maplin sell them for £21.00
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Post by menaiman on Jul 31, 2007 21:01:08 GMT -1
I haven't got a handheld vhf yet but the Icom M71 is the one I intend to get. An earlier post (by Zebra I think) showed how good the company is for product support etc.
Moniar, I would be interested in doing the vhf licence course providing the dates don't clash with my shifts (unless I can get time off).
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Post by [adb1256-DAVE] on Aug 1, 2007 20:50:44 GMT -1
Hi Lads ,I have bought the floating Icom IC-M33 for the lowest price found on the web they aslo do a good range of other electronic equip ie fishfinders, gps, even tellies. try :- www.blokesstuff .com based in Halifax Yorkshire they only charge £6 next day p&p Im looking at getting the Garmin 100 f/finder next .........regards Dave
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Post by dorado on Aug 2, 2007 8:02:47 GMT -1
Fish finder battery - use a sealed sandwich box - available from Asda or the like for about £3. They have an airtight seal around them - so a bit like a tupperware box but easier to use and a lot cheaper. You can hold it in place with silicone or better use Sikaflex - once stuck it stays put. The other alternative is to use self adhhesive rigging straps - I have them in stock and at £12.50 posted they don't break the bank - these are self adhesive pad eyes with bungy straps and hooks - so you canuse them anywhere to create more deck rigging without drilling holes - the adhesive is as strong as whatever you stick it to - you ony get one chance, so mark the spot carefully! Cleaner is included in the kit to make sure you get a really good adhesion.
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